Local Artist Seeks To Continue Farm Vehicle Awareness Efforts With Second Mosaic Tractor

MACOMB (WGEM) – A local artist continues his campaign to raise awareness of agricultural vehicles on the road.

After Macomb-area farmer Tim Sullivan died in 2019, who was hit by a vehicle while driving a tractor and later died, artist Kelley Quinn got to work and unveiled a mosaic tractor in downtown Macomb.

“Tractor Town” is a vintage tractor covered in glass tiles and depicts scenes of farm life. The first tractor was unveiled last September, but Quinn said she was ready to create another.

“When people look at the tractor, I want them to think about how farmers are helping us in our rural community,” Quinn said. “We get so easily distracted by our phones and get distracted while driving in general, and it’s not worth losing someone’s life.”

In the process of making the first tractor, Quinn said she had the help of about 100 volunteers. They used space at Western Illinois University’s physical factory to do the work.

Right now, Quinn is in the fundraising process. She said the Rotary Club of Macomb contributed $1,000 and an Illinois Humanities grant contributed $5,000.

If you would like to donate to Quinn’s project, click here.

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